Chapter 25 · You heard me

He looked down at her fingers.

"You heard me."

"I did."

"Then don't make me repeat it."

The blast door split along the middle. A thin line of white security light cut through the room.

Sila raised her rifle with her free hand. The pistol remained aimed at Kael.

"When they come through, you take the switch," she said. "You shut Viktor out. You keep my people alive."

"And if I can't?"

"Then I pull the trigger."

"Even if it kills everyone?"

Her eyes filled again. This time she didn't blink fast enough to hide it.

"Don't make me choose that."

Kael stared at the tear sliding down her cheek. He had seen her break bones without blinking. He had seen her walk through fire with blood on her sleeve and give orders like nothing hurt.

This was worse.

He lifted his free hand and brushed the tear away with his knuckle.

Sila went rigid.

"Don't touch me," she whispered.

"You were shaking."

"I'm holding a gun."

"I noticed."

"Kael."

"Tell me to stop."

Her mouth opened. No sound came out.

The door screamed as the hunters forced it wider.

She should have shoved him away.